In the following year 4400 persons formed a Society for insurance upon Lives, with a monthly dividend; but that which distinguished this association, and rendered it a proper subject for this Chapter, was, their requesting the rectors, vicars, and wardens of St. Martin in the Fields, St. James, St. Margaret's, St. Giles, St. Andrew's Holborn, and St. Clement Danes, "to recommend two boys out of each parish to the Society, which shall be put forthwith to school, cloathed, and 10_l._ given to put them out apprentices; and as the Society receives encouragement, the same method will be used to the great parishes, within the bills of mortality, that are overburthened with poor; and that a monthly stock is kept, and security given to the trustees for the security of the stock, to put several hundred children apprentices, and the 10_l._ charity. Each subscriber pays only 1_s._ per week; and if the person dies in a month after entrance, you are entitled to a dividend of 500 months to be made; but, if your life should continue one year, you are entitled to 15_l._ to put out a child apprentice, or 10_l._ to be disposed of to charitable uses as you shall judge proper; and 125_l._ per month laid by as a stock to sink your weekly payments," &c. &c.[23:A] 4800 children attended the anniversary of the charity-schools in 1716, at St. Sepulchre's church; on which occasion the bishop of Lincoln preached from Dan. iii. 12. The number of schools of this description had increased from the reign of king William III. in England and Ireland to 1221, and near 30,000 children received the benefit of instruction, and in many instances food and cloathing; those of London were 124, the number of boys educated in them 3131, the girls 1789; the children apprenticed from them, boys 2513, girls 1056[24:A]. A most dreadful fire occurred at Limehouse in the month of December, 1716, by which near 200 houses were destroyed, and infinite distress occasioned; the Prince Regent, agitated with strong sentiments of compassion, ordered the sum of 1000_l._ to be distributed immediately to the most pitiable objects; which laudable example was promptly followed by others to a considerable amount. A more disinterested charity was prosecuting at the same period for the Episcopal Protestants of Poland; towards which, 60_l._ was obtained in the inconsiderable parish of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate[24:B]. The Prince of Wales, actuated by the same impulse which now operates in the Society for the relief of prisoners confined for Small Debts, sent 350_l._ at Christmas, for the discharge of those at Ludgate and the two Compters.